BREAKING NEWS: Nicolas Maduro Wins Venezuelan Presidential Election

Hugo Chavez’ former Vice President and hand-picked successor, Nicolas Maduro, has just been elected Venezeula’s newest President. Maduro defeated Henrique Capriles by winning 50.6% of the votes, while Capriles captured 49.07% of the votes.

Late Sunday night Maduro accepted his election win as the will of the people and an homage to the memory of Hugo Chavez who died last month after a two-year battle with cancer. Chavez had been in power for 14 years with Maduro, 50, at his side most of that time.

Latin America press is reporting nearly 19 million Venezuelans cast ballots in this presidential election. Maduro won by about 200,000 votes. Maduro campaigned on Chavez’ legacy and a vow to continue his socialist revolution that is popular amongst the poorer Venezuelans.

Capriles, 40, is a lawyer and governor of the state of Miaranda. This is his second bid for the Venezuelan presidency, once having been defeated by Chavez.